Accra, June 24, GNA – The Democratic People’s Party (DPP) candidate in the 29 June Bye-Election in the Upper Denkyira Constituency is still in the race, Mr Thomas Nuako Ward-Brew, National Chairman of DPP has said.
In a “Complaint Against Media Misinformation” sent to the Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC) and copied to the Ghana News Agency, Mr Ward-Brew alleged that CAPITAL FM Radio in Kumasi had announced that the DPP Candidate, Madam Elizabeth Debrah had stepped down.
The DPP Chairman described the announcement as totally untrue and malicious, adding that, it was calculated to mislead the electorate and misinform them about the election.
He urged the EC “as the sole Statutory Body charged with the responsibility of organising the said Parliamentary Bye Election to come out with a definitive and authoritative announcement or press release to correct this deliberate misinformation trick.
“If we as a Party say anything on the matter it might not carry as much weight as your august office”, the Party said.
“CAPITAL FM reaches Upper Denkyira Constituency and following the radio message many people in the rural areas of the electoral area have been pouring in to find out the truth about this bad propaganda”, it said.
The letter of complaint urged the EC to “take serious notice of this unfortunate development”, saying, “it might as well be an evil trend or practice that is being employed by losing candidates to confuse the electorate.
“It could make sincere and honest voters opt to stay at home and not vote at all if they are made to believe that candidates they are going to vote for have abstained or withdrawn.”
The Party alluded to attempts to bribe Madam Debrah to step down. When the Ghana News Agency contacted CAPITAL FM Radio in Kumasi, the News Editor, Mr Charles Brafo-Anarkwa denied carrying any news item to the effect that Madam Debrah had stepped down.
He explained that the Station organised a forum for the three parliamentary candidates in the bye-election but Madam Debrah opted out. The News Editor said it was the news about her opting out of the forum that was broadcast and not that she had withdrawn from the race. 24 June 04
Source: GhanaWeb
